deCODE Announces Positive Results From Preliminary Phase II Clinical Trial of CEP-1347 in Asthma
June 26 2006 - 5:08AM
PR Newswire (US)
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- deCODE
genetics (NASDAQ:DCGN) today announced positive results from its
preliminary Phase II clinical trial (Phase IIa) of Cephalon Inc.'s
(NASDAQ:CEPH) CEP-1347 in asthma. Data on patients receiving active
drug in the trial were consistent with a dose-dependent improvement
in some parameters of lung function examined in the study,
including methacholine challenge test and peak expiratory flow
rates, as well as in a biomarker associated with asthma severity
and inflammation. There was no evidence of safety and tolerability
concerns. The study was randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, and enrolled 160 patients divided evenly into
four groups, three receiving various doses of active drug and one
receiving placebo. The trial, conducted by deCODE under a research
collaboration and licensing agreement with Cephalon, was based upon
deCODE's discovery of variants in the gene encoding the MAP3K9
kinase as risk factors for the development of asthma. The MAP3K9
kinase acts within a pathway targeted by CEP-1347. "Through our
genetics work we have put our finger on an important biological
pathway involved in asthma; the results of this trial indicate that
CEP-1347 can positively affect this pathway in a safe and
well-tolerated manner," said Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE. "This
is an exciting opportunity to bring forward a novel, non-steroidal
treatment for one of the most common chronic conditions in the
industrialized world. This is also a stellar example of the way in
which we are using genetics to develop new methods to treat and
prevent common diseases. We presented the data from the trial to
Cephalon at the end of last week, and we look forward to discussing
with them how to further examine the beneficial effects of CEP-1347
in asthma patients." About Asthma Asthma is a chronic condition
resulting from inflammation of the airway. It is the most common
chronic disorder in children and young adults, ranging in
prevalence from 10-30% in the industrialized world. Asthma attacks,
which range from mild wheezing to severe constriction of breathing
requiring immediate medical intervention, result from an abnormal
and exaggerated immune response to certain environmental "triggers"
-- including pollen, dust, tobacco smoke and viral infection. The
most effective treatment for asthma is the family of steroids known
as glucocorticoids. These drugs are effective in controlling
symptoms attributed to airway inflammation, but also have
potentially serious side-effects, particularly when administered
over a long period of time. One of the principal goals in the
development of new methods for treating asthma is therefore to
identify non-steroidal drugs that can effectively control the
inflammatory response underlying asthma symptoms. About deCODE
deCODE genetics (NASDAQ:DCGN) is a global leader in applying human
genetics to develop drugs for common diseases. Our population
approach has enabled us to discover and target key biological
pathways involved in conditions ranging from heart attack to
cancer. We are turning these discoveries into new medicine to
better treat and prevent many of the biggest challenges to public
health. deCODE is delivering on the promise of the new
genetics(SM). Visit us on the web at http://www.decode.com/. Any
statements contained in this presentation that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward- looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those relating
to technology and product development, integration of acquired
businesses, market acceptance, government regulation and regulatory
approval processes, intellectual property rights and litigation,
dependence on collaborative relationships, ability to obtain
financing, competitive products, industry trends and other risks
identified in deCODE's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. deCODE undertakes no obligation to update or alter
these forward-looking statements as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Contacts: deCODE genetics Corporate
Communication Investor Relations Edward Farmer Joy Bessenger +354
570 2819 +1 212 481 3891 DATASOURCE: deCODE genetics CONTACT:
Edward Farmer, Corporate Communication of deCODE genetics,
+354-570-2819, ; or Investor Relations, Joy Bessenger,
+1-212-481-3891, Web site: http://www.decode.com/
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